Presence of Toxic Heavy Metals in Platelet-Rich Fibrin: a Pilot Study

Investigating the effect of the heavy metals cadmium, chromium and lead, alone and in combination on an endothelial cell line

Heavy metals are natural elements characterized by their relatively large atomic mass as well as high density. It can be introduced into the ecosystem by the mining of heavy metals from deep within the earth's crust, thereby exposing the metals into air and water systems. Cigarette smoke is another source of heavy metal exposure and has been shown to have carcinogenic, toxic and genotoxic properties. Cadmium, lead, and chromium are the most abundant metals found in cigarette smoke. In response to tobacco smoke exposure, endothelial cells release inflammatory and pro-atherogenic cytokines that are linked to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is directly related to the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to endothelial cell loss through necrosis and/or apoptosis. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of cadmium, lead, and chromium, alone and as part of metal mixtures, on endothelial cells. The EA.hy926 endothelial cell line was exposed to different concentrations of each of these metals and their combinations and analyzed using flow cytometric analyses with Annexin V. A clear trend was seen with the Pb + Cr as well as the triple combination group with the significant increase of early apoptotic cells. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study possible ultrastructural effects. Morphological changes observed with scanning electron microscopy included cell membrane damage and membrane blebbing at certain metal concentrations. In conclusion, the exposure of endothelial cells to cadmium, lead, and chromium, caused a disruption in cellular processes and morphology, possibly diminishing the protective ability of endothelial cells.

Concentrations of Transition Metal Ions in Rat Lungs after Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Treatment with His-Leu Dipeptide

Tobacco smoking is deleterious to the lungs because it exposes them to many toxic substances. These include transition metal ions, such as cadmium. However, there is a lack of information about the influence of endogenous metal-binding peptides, such as His-Leu (HL), on the lung distribution of transition metals in smokers. To address this, we administered HL subcutaneously to rats exposed to tobacco smoke for six weeks, then we measured the concentrations of transition metal ions in the lungs. We found that exposure to tobacco smoke elevates the concentrations of Cd(II) and Cu(II). Administration of the HL peptide, whose elevation is a consequence of angiotensin receptor blocker anti-hypertension therapy, increases the concentration of Fe in the lungs of rats exposed to smoke. These findings suggest that smoking is a risk factor for patients receiving angiotensin receptor blockers to treat hypertension.

The Determination of Toxic Metals in some Traditional Cosmetic Products and Health Risk Assessment

In present study, the levels of some toxic elements in 19 different home-made cosmetic products (spray hair dye, henna, tattoo, eyeliner, eye mascara, smear, lip moisturizer, and lipstick) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. The ICP-MS results were verified by the analyzing certificated reference material (EnviroMAT Drinking Water, High).The detection limit (LOD) was set from 0.1 to 0.2 and the quantification limit (LOQ) from 0.2 to 0.8 μg L^-1 and the recoveries estimated from 99% to 109%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) (%) for elements was determined in the range of 0.9 and 2.1%. Although various concentrations of arsenic (As),cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cupper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) were determined in some samples, lead (Pb) concentration was found in all the samples. Data obtained were compared with the permissible limit of cosmetic products by the WHO. The concentration of Pb in smear samples was higher than the permitted limit created by the WHO, and Ni concentration in the some samples exceeds the limit set by the WHO. The rank order of toxic elements based on THQ index was Cr > Pb > Ni. The potential non-carcinogenic was considerably lower than the safe risk limits (THQ > 1).

Ultrastructural alterations of whole blood by copper, manganese and mercury metal mixtures using a chronic in vivo model of coagulation

Globally, contamination of drinking water by heavy metals is increasing and poses a potential hazard to human health. Data on heavy metal mixtures and their effects on thrombosis are limited. The objective of this study was to determine the in vivo effects that copper, manganese and mercury, alone and in mixtures, have on clotting potential. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups, dependent on the type of heavy metal/s administered. The dosages were calculated at X100 the World Health Organisation limits in drinking water and orally administered for 28 days, at the University of Pretoria in 2018. Heavy metal induced morphological alterations of erythrocytes, platelets and fibrin networks were evaluated, using scanning electron microscopy. The manganese and mercury mixture had the greatest thrombotic potential by inducing acanthocyte and echinocyte formation, generating highly activated platelets with spontaneous fibrin formation and forming a disorganised fibrin network. In conclusion, chronic or single high dosage exposure to these heavy metals can potentially induce or contribute to thrombosis.